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Real Madrid had to share a point in their away game against Athletic Bilbao and despite losing the valuable points, Coach Carlo Ancellotti has said that he is happy with the performance.

Ancellotti spoke about the performance against Athletic Bilbao: “We played well. It was a high intensity match and we hardly let them have any chances. We did especially well in the second half. It could have been different because we scored first and dominated the match afterwards. Athletic Bilbao scored a fantastic equaliser, but overall we are going away satisfied with how we played”.

The Real Madrid boss also praised the counter attacking game of San Memes side: “It was a good match overall, especially the second half. In the first they pressed well, it was more difficult for us in possession and we had to play more on the counter. The second half was different. They didn’t press with as much intensity and we had more possession”.

To finish, he was asked what his team were lacking to get have picked up the three points: “After Jesé’s goal we had control of the match and did not suffer. The team was well-balanced, but Ibai’s goal was a fantastic strike. We did not make any mistakes, it was a great goal. We hardly let them have any chances. Just one in the first half and none in the second half”.

Xabi Alonso spoke to the media after the draw against Athletic Bilbao. Cristiano Ronaldo was controversially sent off as 10-man Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday at San Mames. And Alonso was seemingly furious over referee performance: “It was not aggression, Cristiano Ronaldo’s red was exaggerated, Gurpegui made the most of it and the crowd influenced the referee throughout the match. This always happens, it’s nothing new. Cristiano shouldn’t have done what he did but it is not a sending off, that went against us. We came here with the intention of winning because it was a good opportunity to pick up points in the league but we knew it was going to be a difficult trip”.

Alonso however, was quick to praise the opposite Athletic side: “It was a fair result. It was a very good and intense match, the referee got some things wrong but that’s normal. It is a shame to draw after going ahead, which was the most difficult thing. Ibai scored a great goal. We struggled to control the ball and get out from the back easily in the first half. We were better in the second half and created more chances. It was tougher to get a second after they had scored, but we did well despite playing with one less”.Real Madrid now stand at third spot in La Liga, behind Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona.